In a commentary, SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication and Technology and Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) Lim Sun Sun and NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Assistant Professor Andrew Z H Yee discussed how bans on social media use among young people can backfire and emphasised the importance of constructive alternatives. They highlighted the need to equip youth with artificial intelligence (AI) ethics literacy, given the ease of creating realistic content with generative AI. Teens, who may lack the maturity, are vulnerable to ethical pitfalls like deepfake misuse or scams. Instead of restrictive measures, the authors called for improving digital skills and helping youth manage their online experiences. They emphasised addressing social media overuse's root causes and guiding youth thoughtfully, avoiding moral panic or quick fixes.